Poll shows Tollgate support for trail

In the face of controversy over a proposed paved trail system that would run past the subdivision, the Tollgate Property Owners Association polled its members to get a definitive picture of the proposal's acceptance in the neighborhood.

While some vocal opposition to the proposed project has come from Tollgate, the poll results show strong overall support.

In a news release, the homeowners association stated: "Tollgate Property Owners Association has conducted an opinion poll of it's 440 properties regarding the USFS Sisters-to-Black Butte multi-modal trail. We received 275 votes in which 183 (or 66.5 percent) supported the trail, 79 (or 28.7 percent) opposed the trail and 13 (4.7 percent) expressed no opinion."

The paved trail proposal includes a trail from Crossroads to Sisters High School and a trail from the edge of Sisters to Tollgate, which would ultimately continue through the forest to Black Butte Ranch. The total estimated cost for the trails is $2.8 million.

No funding has been secured for the project. The only currently pending grant is through the STIP (Statewide Transportation Improvement Program) process for the Sisters-Tollgate leg. That funding is in doubt, as the project does not rank high on a list of priorities.

Sisters Trails Alliance, the grassroots Sisters group that has promoted the trails, says it will continue to seek funding sources and encourage the Forest Service to co-apply for grants.